JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An Arlington landmark is closing for good after more than three decades of entertainment.
Jim’s Place nightclub sits right off the Arlington Expressway. This Sunday, New Year’s Eve, is the last time Jim Jones III will open his doors to customers.
While preparing for another night of drinks and dancing on Friday, owner Jim Jones III said he never expected the bar he dreamed of opening would be this successful.
News4JAX asked about the first day the nightclub opened in 1991.
“I will never forget that. It was just exciting,” Jim said. “But it worked out for me real well and God has blessed me.”
Jim’s Place used to be a TGI Fridays, but Jim had a vision when he saw the place for sale 33 years ago. He had worked at a nightclub in Orlando where he learned the business and saved up to open his own.
As a former U.S. Army Drill instructor, Jim runs a tight ship. No jeans or backward hats are allowed, and you have to be over 25 if you want a seat at the bar. Those were some of the rules he put in place shortly after he opened the nightclub.
“I changed it to 25 and older because I was having some problems with 21-year-olds,” Jim said. “And when I did that, things really improved. I got some complaints from the city. I got people complaining that they were adults,” he said.
When you walk into Jim’s place, you’ll see a note from Jim about why he’s moving on. At 78 years old, he says it’s time for him to retire.
Increasing costs and less business after the pandemic also influenced his decision to sell.
“It doesn’t feel real, but my health is deteriorating,” he said. “I’ve had two strokes and two bouts of cancer. And so at my age, I decided no more. Just want to sit back and take it easy.”
Seeing the bar go is disappointing for many in Arlington and across Jacksonville. Councilman Ken Amaro who represents the district said the area is undergoing a phase of transformation. The bar will be torn down to make room for new apartments.
“I can’t recall of any issues or anything of that nature in the tenure that it’s been here. And to me, that speaks volumes that someone can operate a club and there are no issues, people have a good time, and they go home. And that’s it,” Amaro said.
Jim said his customers are part of the reason why that is. The customers are what he says he’ll miss the most.
“Some of my customers have been coming to us for over 30 years,” Jim said. “I met these people when I first came here when I first opened, and some of them have really shown a great deal loyalty. Some people got married from meeting here and they got kids coming here now. So just the memories. I’ll miss it.”
After the doors at Jim’s Place are locked on Jan. 1, Jim and his wife have plans to sell their Ponte Vedra Beach home and move into a condo where they can relax and enjoy their evenings together.
Jim’s Place is open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday if you’d like to visit one last time.
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